Crutches4Africa was founded by David Talbot in 2005. David is a member of the Rotary Club of Mountain Foothills in Evergreen, CO. David has been directing the collection of Mobility Assistance Devices (MADs), primarily crutches, but also canes, walkers and wheelchairs.
The MADs are shipped as air- or ocean-freight to 11 countries. Seven in Africa. Where impairment is widespread due to war, accident or diseases such as polio. Partnerships with social service agencies in-country allow the shipments to be broken down at the ports and distributed to cities and villages in the interior. Crutches get recipients back up on their feet improving access, increasing their mobility, and widening the range of work they can seek. Better paying work benefits health and generally a higher quality of life. Crutches also, importantly, restore dignity, self-respect and hope for a better future.
Our Club collects them with Portsmouth Club and sends up to Portland for chipping. This project is good for our community as well. It keeps these devices out of landfills - or at least gets them out of basements and attics - and puts them into the hands of impoverished people who can use them today.
This was the collection from October 2020.